More Than Words

This is our cute boy, Lucas.  (Or Yucas to Audrey.)

(I love the overbite smile!)

He just recently turned 2 years old.  There are so many things that I love about this kid.  He is a lot of fun.  He loves to laugh and play - he especially likes chase games and tickle games and other physical, interactive games.  He is very affectionate and sweet-natured.  He loves hugs and cuddle time - especially if there is a pair of eyebrows within reach.  Something about the soft texture, he loves.  He has always been pretty cautious and deliberate in his physical manipulations.  For example, he knew how to walk long before he stopped cruising (holding on to something while walking).  So, when he finally did let go and began to walk all on his own, he was super stable and sure on his feet.  He has always been a fairly quiet baby/toddler.  Not too loud or boisterous (although he loves when we are), he seems content to just play and interact in quiet ways.  His temperament is naturally laid back, not very demanding or high maintenance.  He's a good, sweet kid.  As with his motor skills - walking on his own when he was ready - we've been content with him beginning to talk when he's ready, too.  Because, while he still only says a few words, some of the time, he is a very effective communicator.  He makes his intentions clear and that has kept any frustration levels (for all of us) to a minimum.  He uses lots of nonverbal strategies to make his meaning clear, as well as incorporating gestures and eye contact and body language.

All of this isn't to say that we haven't been working with him.  A few months ago, we started meeting with a local Early Intervention program that specializes in working with children who are under the ago of 3 that are experiencing any delays.  They have given us lots of ideas of how to interact with Luke that will encourage him to increase his communication skills, ways to focus on language and bring that out in him.  It's been great.  We've really learned a lot.

And Luke has made strides in small, but significant ways.  He is still pretty quiet though.  And more and more, I am beginning to think that he will just do it when he is ready.  It may be that his laid back and sweet temperament, coupled with his cautious, deliberate nature has combined to create a very sensitive, quiet kid.

(Being shy with the camera.)

Participating in the Early Intervention program has been good for us.  About a month ago, we began an additional class that this same program had recommended to us.  It's a class that was created by a program based in Canada, called the Hanen Centre.  And the class is called More Than Words.  It is actually specifically designed to help children who are on the Autism Spectrum, learn how to more effectively communicate.  While Luke doesn't fit into that category, the Speech-Language Pathologist that leads the class says that all of the techniques that you learn in the class are just as effective with kids who are only experiencing a delay in their speech-language skills.  The approach that you use with kids who are on the spectrum is the same that you would use with kids who are just behind in their skills.  The goal for both is to help catch them up to their "normal" or "average" peers.

(I do have to say that there is nothing "average" about our Lucas.  

That sounds biased but it's not.  Just the truth!)

So, I go to the More Than Words classes every Tuesday night for three hours each session.  It's an eight week course.  I've really learned a lot.  It's very naturalistic and easily adapted to fit your particular situation.  I'm excited to see what kind of progress we will continue to see as the class goes on.

One side effect of being a part of this class, is I keep getting a song stuck in my head.  You can probably guess what song I am talking about.  It's actually not that bad that I get it stuck in my head, because I do like the song.  It would be much worse if it was something that I thought was really annoying or tiresome.  Here's the you tube video for your listening enjoyment.

I love the harmony on that song!  Admittedly, I have always been attracted to music that is kind of pared down and simple - letting the music speak for itself without a bunch of production gimmicks.  Because most of the time, that is what it is - a gimmick.  So, two guys with only a guitar and their harmonized voices is great with me.  I like the message too.  How often do we say "I love you" to those around us but then treat them in a way that might put that love in doubt?  It's a worthwhile question - what would you say if I took those words away?  You might have to prove your love through your actions instead of just mere words.

So, every Tuesday (or any day when I think about the More Than Words class, I find myself singing or humming the More Than Words song.  It's kind of funny.

Another funny thing about the More Than Words class was something that Audrey said last week when Adam brought her along to pick me up when the class was over.  I guess as they pulled into the parking space in front of the building, Audrey said, "Mom's at the dentist?"  (The building does kind of look like one of those nondescript, could be just about anything kind of a building.)  And Adam said, "No.  She is in a class that will help us learn how to help Luke learn how to talk."  And then Audrey said, "Oh.  Yeah, Luke needs to learn how to talk... but he also needs to learn how to listen."

We can't stop laughing about it either.  Every time I think about that little exchange (which Adam told me about right when I got into the car that night) I have to smile and chuckle to myself at her funny cleverness.

We have really been blessed in the Kid Department.  I couldn't have asked for two better kids.  Both of them are so different and unique and special.  They bring so much joy and fun into our lives.

We are lucky indeed to have stewardship over such amazing little people.